SATCOM Engineering Course by TONEX, The Satellite Engineering and Communications Specialists
SATCOM Engineering Course – Learn the basics of SATCOM engineerng and building blocks used in the design of satellite communication systems. SATCOM Engineering Course includes an engineering overview of satellite communications link components and subsystems, illustrated by examples and case studies of commercial satellite systems and applications.
SATCOM Engineering Course looks at the characteristics and benefits satellite systems and applications and an in-depth overview of microwave transmission network design, planning and implementation applied to satellite and space systems.
SATCOM Engineering course covers all aspects of SATCOM Engineering: theory and practices to illustrate the role of Satellite Communications and VSAT.
SATCOM Engineers course is a part of a highly specialized field and are an integral part of fixed and mobile wireless solutions. SATCOM expertise is needed to design effective and reliable satellite solutions to produce quality results. SATCOM Engineers course covers an in-depth knowledge of math, physics and general electronics theory applied to satellite communications
SATCOM Engineers are specialists in their respective field and assist in both the planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of different satellite communications solutions.
Topics Covered in this customized SATCOM Engineering course – Crash Course:
RF and Microwave Theory
- RF and Microwave Engineering Principles
- Modulation
- Antenna Theory
- Interference Analysis
- Link Design
- Principles of Noise and Interference
- Principles of Jamming
- Communications Control and Jamming Theory of Operation
- RF and Microwave System Specifications
- RF and Microwave Surveys and Planning
- Radio Wave Propagation and Modeling
- Frequency Planning
- Traffic Dimensioning
- RF and Microwave Planning Principals
- Satellite Coverage Analysis
- RF and Microwave Optimization
- RF and Microwave Benchmarking
- RF and Microwave Performance
- RF and Microwave Safety
- RF and Microwave Simulation
- RF and Microwave Testing
- RF System Integration and Measurements
- Planning of Radio Networks
- Satellite communications RF and Microwave Engineering
- Physical size, payloads, transponders, antennas, lifetime
- Concepts of Satellite links, link budgets, and how they are affected by dish size
- EIRP, G/T, footprints, and contours
- Main properties of microwaves and how signals are affected by blockage
- Define rain fade loss, rain zones, availability
- Describe the high-level operation of a satellite transponder.
- Compare the main types of antennas used for earth stations.
- Define amplitude, frequency, decibels, gain, EIRP, spectrum, symbol rate, bandwidth, noise, power, C/N, and Eb/No
- Define modulation and demodulation
- Describe and compare BPSK, QPSK, and 8PSK
- Define and describe SCPC, TDM, TDMA, MF-TDMA, DVB, DVB-RCS, star, and mesh networks
- Describe the functions of a LAN, Ethernet, TCP/IP, IP address, subnet, gateway/router address, DNS, DHCP, NAT
- Advanced Topics in RF Planning and Architecture
- Antennas, transmission lines, scattering parameters, passive components, low noise and high power amplifiers, oscillators, modulation and demodulation techniques and circuits.
- Satellite communications system blocks and their functions; determination of circuit specifications from system architecture requirements;
- Calculation of critical system characteristics
- Satellite link sensitivity requirements; frequency planning
- Trade-offs between various blocks in a satellite communications system;
- Microwave link engineering, network performance and reliability issues, link protection and diversity, comparison of different design models, project management and logistics issues, deployment challenges, and regulatory and ethical issues.
- Examples of receiver/transmitter characteristics for wireless and microwave links will also be reviewed.
Learning Objectives
SATCOM Engineering course, a ATCOM Engineering Boot Camp provides participants with a solid understanding of SATCOM analysis and planning, electromagnetic modeling and simulation, interference analysis and resolution, coverage analysis, propagation models, microwaveengineering, system specifications and performance, modulation, antenna theory, link design, traffic engineering, optimization, benchmarking, safety, RF testing and system integration and measurements. Design and production engineers and technicians interested in improving RF engineering skills through a practical approach will benefit from this course.
Course Outline
Satellite Engineering Principles
- Satellite and Spacecraft Autonomy
- Satellite subsystem design in engineering spacecraft
- Functional requirements and key design parameters for satellite systems
- Satellite and spacecraft subsystems
- Power, structure, communication and control
- Engineering trades
- Launch Systems
- Orbital Mechanics
- Spacecraft Power Systems
- Propulsion
- The Environment of Space
- Introduction to Optics
- Structures in Space Systems
- Satellite Systems Software and Hardware
- Space Systems Cost Modeling
- Software Engineering for Satellites (Courtesy of Katie Weiss. Used with permission.)
- (Courtesy of Seung Chung. Used with permission.)
- Spacecraft Computer Systems
- Satellite Telemetry, Tracking and Control Subsystems
- Satellite Communication
- Reentry
- Spacecraft Thermal Control Systems
- Ground System Design
SATCOM Engineering Principles
- Fundamentals of RF Systems
- RF and Microwaves 101
- History of RF and Microwaves
- Basic Building Blocks in Radio and Microwave Planning and Design
- RF and Microwaves Principles, Design, and Deployment
- RF and Microwaves Propagation, Fading, and Link Budget Analysis
- Intro to Radio Planning for Mobile and Fixed Networks
- RF and Microwaves Planning and Design for Satellite Communications and VSAT
- RF and Microwaves Impairments
- Noise and Distortion
- Antennas and Propagation for Wireless Systems
- Filters
- Amplifiers
- Mixers
- Transistor Oscillators and Frequency Synthesizers
- Modulation Techniques
- Receiver Design
- Eb/No vs. SNR, BER vs. noise, Bandwidth Limitations
- Modulation Schemes and Bandwidth
- Advanced RF and Microwaves Technology
- Types of Modulation: AM, FM, FSK, QAM, PSK & QPSK
- RF and Microwaves Engineering Principals applied
SATCOM System Design Considerations
- RF and Microwaves System Design
- Multiple Access Methods and Comparative Capacities
- Modulation, Bandwidth, Interference, Performance
- BER vs. Noise
- Bandwidth Limitations
- Noise Figure
- Eb/No vs. SNR
- Receiver Sensitivity
- Desensitization and Blocking
- Dynamic Range
- Intermodulation Distortion
- Power Output
- Spectral Efficiency and System Limitations
- Sample Link Budget Calculations
- Link Structure
- Design Engineering
- Performance Engineering
- Traffic Engineering
- System Noise Management
- Propagation Modes
- Scattering Parameter Analysis
- RF Regulatory Considerations
RF and Microwaves Propagation Principles
- Estimating Path Loss
- VHF/UHF/Microwave Radio Propagation
- Physics and Propagation Mechanisms
- Propagation Models and Link Budgets
- Practical System Design Considerations
- The Physics of Propagation: Free Space, Reflection, Diffraction
- Analyzing measured data to produce models
- Reliability of Service
- Propagation Prediction Tools and Measurement Tools
- Propagation Losses
- Refraction and Fresnel Zones
- Reflection and Scattering Loss
- Multipath
- Rayleigh Fading Models
- Noise and interference
- Polarization distortion
- Diversity implementation
- Link Budgets and High-Level System Design
- Link Budget Basics and Application Principles
- Traffic Considerations
- Details Of Propagation Models And Their Uses
RF Modulation
- Fundamentals of analog transmission
- Quantization
- Pulse-code modulation
- Geometrical representations of waveforms
- Modulation techniques (QAM, PSK, QPSK, DPSK, FSK)
- The additive Gaussian noise channel
- Optimal detectors
- Performance analysis of digital receivers.
Antenna Theory & Design Principles
- Principle of Antennas and Wave Propagation
- Antenna properties
- Impedance, directivity, radiation patterns, polarization
- Types of Antennas, Radiation Mechanism (Single Wire, Two-Wires, Dipole)
- Current Distribution on Thin Wire Antenna
- Radiation Pattern
- Gain Antenna types, composition and operational principles
- ERP and EIRP
- Antenna gains, patterns, and selection principles
- Antenna system testing
- Fundamental Parameters of Antennas
- Radiation Pattern and types
- Radiation Intensity and Power Density
- Directivity, Gain, Half Power Beamwidth
- Beam Efficiency, Antenna Efficiency
- Bandwidth, Polarization (Linear, Circular and Elliptical)
- Polarization Loss Factor
- Input Impedance
- Antenna Radiation Efficiency
Microwave Radio Propagation
- Estimating Path Loss
- Free Space Propagation
- Path Loss on Line of Sight Links
- Diffraction and Fresnel Zones
- Ground Reflections
- Effects of Rain, Snow and Fog
- Path Loss on Line of Sight Paths
- Diffraction Losses
- Attenuation from Trees and Forests
- General LOS and Non-LOS Propagation Models
RF and Microwaves Optimization Principles
- Design, analysis and optimization of Satellite and Microwave networks
- Verification of network deployments
- RF engineering principals
- Good quality network and services
- Network planning resources
- Link budgets, scheduling and resource allocation
- Preparation and Report generation
- Real-time coverage maps
- True-up RF modeling software
RF and Microwaves System Optimization
- RF and Microwaves coverage and service performance measurements
- System Setting
- Initial optimization testing of installed networks
- Antenna and Transmission Line Considerations
- System field-testing and parameter optimization
- Functional testing and optimization for implemented sites
- Test plan development
- System drive test and data analysis
- System parameter settings and interference control
Key RF and Microwaves Performance Indicators
- FER, Mobile Receive Power, Ec/Io, Transmit Power, G/T
- System accessibility analysis
- Available radio resources and network trunking issues
- System parameter optimization
- Regression analysis to measure benefits
- Frequency/PN offset planning
- Self-generated system interference
- Cell site integration
- Construction coordination
- Equipment installation/antenna system verification
- RF parameter datafills
- Radio testing
- Initial drive testing
- Performance monitoring
- Site migration planning and testing
- ERP changes
- Orientation changes
RF and Microwave Troubleshooting
- Safety
- Basic troubleshooting steps
- Signal tracing
- Signal injection
- Lead dress
- Heat sinks
Technical Aspects of RF Engineering Satellite Communications
- Basic Components
- EIRP, G/T, contours, and their relationships to dish size
- Gains, losses, and levels
- Signals, noise, and spectrums
- Antennas, including side lobes, patterns, and gain
- Propagation, including rain fade, blockage, snow/ice effects
- Satellite links, with breakdown of how a link budget concepts, link margins, and availability.
- Polarization
- Earth station and equipments
- Multiple Access Techniques
- Access methods
- SCPC, TDMA, TDM, DAMA, CDMA, OFDM, DVB.
- Single channel per carrier (SCPC)
- Propagation Interference and Regulation
- Payload Engineering
- Spacecraft Engineering and Operations
- Earth Station Engineering
- Modems
- Modulation and coding
- Chanel coding and decoding
- Footprints
- Link budget
- Link margin
- Horizontal and geographic satellite coordinates and look angles
- Trajectories
- Key parameters: EIRP G/T, SFD, Input/Output
- Backoff, C/No, Eb/No
- Typical link budget, link margin and availability
- Modulation systems (QPSK, OQPSK, MSK, 8PSK, and 16 QAM)
- Basic aperture antenna definitions and relationships
- Typical antenna configurations for satellite communications
- Propagation and Interference
- Radio noise
- Interference between satellite networks
- Interference with terrestrial networks
- Transmission (coding, modulations, etc)
- IF and Baseband equipment
- Terrestrial interface
- Satellite tracking
- Satellite Link Design Engineering
- Transmission equation
- Satellite link parameters
- Frequency considerations
- Propagation considerations
- Techniques to counter propagation effects
- Noise considerations
- Interference related problems
- Link design – procedure and link budget
Labs and Calculations
- Satellite Communications Link Analysis
- System Operating Margin (SOM)
- Free Space Loss
- Freznel Clearance Zone
- Latitude/Longitude Bearing
- Microwave Radio Path Analysis
- Line-of-Sight Path Analysis
- Longley-Rice Path Loss Analysis